The 137-year old Gothic-style heritage structure, a prominent Catholic worship centre and a major tourist attraction of the city, has acquired a new look with the brick red exterior repainted in white.

“We are going back to the original colour of the church, which was white. The colour was changed to brick-red in 1927, when the bell tower was constructed,” said Parish priest and Forane Vicar of the cathedral C. Joseph.

The entire structure has been reinforced with fresh plaster on the walls, inside and outside.”The contractors avoided the use of cement. The traditional mixture of lime, eggs and certain other materials was used for plastering.We were told that the reinforcement will be good for the next 100 years,” the priest added.

While a change in the colour of the majestic brick-red structure may not be a welcome proposition for many, the re-painting of the cathedral will undisputedly make a unequivocal difference to the city’s skyscraper. It is however, after many rounds of discussions and debates at the parish council and various other fora that a decision to change the colour was taken by the Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram, under whose aegis the church falls.

“The colour of the church has been changed to white because white represents sanctity which is most suited for a church. Also the brick-red colour is a falsification as the church is not a brick-wall structure. The ‘bricks’ were actually painted on the walls,” Fr. Joseph said.

The idea to re-paint the church was first initiated by the State Archaeological Department in 2001. The department, along with the church, then approached the Union Tourism Ministry for a project to renovate the church by maintaining its architectural value and enhancing its tourism prospects.

Originally established as a small parish in 1873, it was elevated to a cathedral in 1937 and then to a metropolitan cathedral in 2004. The last substantial renovation work was done in 1986 as a part of Pope John Paul II’s visit to Trivandrum.

St. Joseph’s cathedral undergoes facelift is a post from: Trivandrum Buzz. Part of the Metrogeometry Network.

The most important event is the Vishukani,which is to be seen first on the day.Vishukani is an arrangement of raw rice, silk, coconut, yellow flowers(konna), fruits, betel leaves, metal mirror,a metal vessel called uruli,gold ornaments,etc. It is definitely a blessed view. This is done on the previous night.The next morning,the elders of the family will wake the other members, keeping their eyes closed, will guide them to where the Vishukani is set.according to the age-old belief of Keralites,an auspicious kani (first sight) at the crack of dawn on the Vishu day would prove lucky for the entire year.

Then is the most important part of Vishu is the ‘kaineetam’(tokens of money), which you get after you take blessing from your elders,  wow…..but it doesn’t end there does it?? Nopes….because that’s why we have lots of uncles and aunties….to get us ‘Puthukodi’, new clothes.

Then the afternoon is feasted with the ‘sadhya’ a Traditional lunch where the food is served on banana leaf with ‘upperi’(banana chips,jaggery fry),pickle,thoran(vegetables prepared in cocunut), ‘pulisseri’(yoghurt curry),sambar,papadam,etc…and ofcourse  I didn’t forget the ‘payasam’(Indian pudding).

The fun is not over for the day.Fire crackers is yet another attraction for Vishu.Children enjoy bursting fire crackers like ‘maala padakkam’, ‘poothiri’, etc

If there is good food,new clothes, kaineetam, then why not celebrate occasions like VISHU!!!

Trivandrum is also getting ready to celebrate vishu. Saw people selling konnapppo and other things for vishukani along the roadside

Trivandrumbuzz wishes our readers a happy and prosperous Vishu

Vishu-a festival of prosperity is a post from: Trivandrum Buzz. Part of the Metrogeometry Network.

“Pongala” is a sweet recipe prepared using rice, jaggery and coconut in earthen pots and offered to the Devi of Attukal.

About the Attukal Devi Temple

Attukal Devi Temple, more popularly called the Attukal Bagavathy Temple is located near the Sree Padbhanabha Swamy Temple. This temple is one of the oldest Devi Temples in South India with Goddess Bhagavati (a form of Parvathi) as the presiding deity. Goddess is considered as “amma” (mother) by many giving her the name, Attukalamma. This place popularly known as the “Sabarimala of Women”, is most popular for the festival – “Attukal Pongala” held in the malayalam month of Makaram – Kumbham (Feb-March).

Attukal Pongala got its international fame when it got into the Guinness Book of World Records in back February 1997 when around 1.5 million womenfolk donned the roads to offer Pongala to the Attukalamma.

Legend of the Attukalamma

It is said that a attukalamma appeared in the dream of a 12 year old girl of the Mulluveettil family and asked to create a home for her at a spot nearby marked by 3 lines. The temple was built at the exact same spot accordingly.

Reaching Attukal Devi Temple, Trivandrum

By Road

Trivandrum Bus Station is situated at around 2 Km from the temple at Thampanoor and the city bus stand at East Fort is around 1.5 km from Attukal Bhagavathi.

By Train

Trivandrum Central Railway Station is also location nearby in Thampanoor.

By Air

Valiyathura has the Trivandrum International Airport which is around 7 km from this temple.

Attukal Temple Contact Address / Location

Attukal Bhagavathy Temple
Manacaud P.O.,
Thiruvananthapuram – 695 009
Kerala, India
Phone Numbers +91-471 – 2463130 (Off) 2456456 (Temple)
Fax +91-471 – 2456457

Attukal Devi on the Map:

View Larger Map

There is a lot to be said about the festivity of Attukal Pongala, the extravagant 10 day celebrations, it will be another post

Attukal Devi Temple, Trivandrum, Kerala is a post from: Trivandrum Buzz. Part of the Metrogeometry Network.

The ashram has remarkably translated the spirituality into community action. Dr. Tharoor said, “The spirituality and self-realisation being propagated by the Ashram is also aimed at the welfare of the public. This is what makes the Ashram a very special place.” The ashram is aiming to focus on peace and environmental protection. The dedication of the ‘parnasala’ will be held on September 12, 2010.

‘Parnasala’ – symbol of peace is a post from: Trivandrum Buzz. Part of the Metrogeometry Network.

Beemapalli is a post from: Trivandrum Buzz. Part of the Metrogeometry Network.